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Pointless reporting bad driving in Hampshire...?

Over the years I have heard nothing from the police about any of my reports of seemingly dangerous driving. e.g cars overtaking when I am already turning right, vans overtaking at speed close enough to touch them etc. I came across this link which may explain (if you follow the flowcharts) :-

http://www.hampshire.police.uk/internet/advice-and-information/road-safe...

Basically, unless a driver has clearly been driving dangerously there is little point in reporting merely "bad" driving such as driving without due care and attention ("falls below the standard expected of a competent and careful driver") or driving without reasonable consideration ("when other persons are inconvenienced by the manner of the defendants driving"). There seems to be a requirement for three reports in three months of  "bad" driving for any action to be taken, which seems unlikely to happen in practice.

Dangerous Driving: A person is to be regarded as driving dangerously if
(a) the way he drives falls far below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver, and
(b) it would be obvious to a competent and careful driver that driving in that way would be dangerous.

Instances of bad driving which may support a prosecution for dangerous driving include:
(a) racing or competitive driving;
(b) prolonged, persistent or deliberate bad driving;
(c) speed which is highly inappropriate for the prevailing road or traffic conditions;
(d) aggressive or intimidatory driving, such as sudden lane changes, cutting into a line of vehicles or driving much too close to the vehicle in front, especially when the purpose is to cause the other vehicle to pull to one side to allow the accused to overtake;
(e) disregard of traffic lights and other road signs, which, on an objective analysis, would appear to be deliberate;
(f) failure to pay proper attention, amounting to something significantly more than a momentary lapse;
(g) overtaking which could not have been carried out safely;
(h) driving a vehicle with a load which presents a danger to other road users.
(i) recent intake of intoxicants;
(j) a knowledge of illness likely to lead to fits or similar problems (e.g. a diabetic).

Dashcam/cycle cam footage will obviously help to demonstrate that the criteria for dangerous driving has been reached. Make sure you mention it when you call 101...otherwise nothing will happen.

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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medic_ollie | 8 years ago
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A lot of it comes down to available budget. Speaking to a family friend who is an inspector in another police force- they would like to do more and investigate near misses but they simply do not have the funding or the manpower. The limited budget is allocated to areas deemed more in need.

I am not sure if the Southampton police force is separate to Hampshire police but the one time I have reported an incident to them they were very helpful and did launch an investigation- albeit I was assaulted rather than this just being a near miss.

It can still be useful reporting them as some police forces will issue a Section 59 where if that car is picked up on a police car's number plate reader it will flag it up, meaning the police may just pull them over to have a chat. Often bad driving correlates with other traffic offences.

I know it's not an ideal situation but in my three years of cycling I would say the drivers have, on the whole, become a lot better.

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